Squadron Operations: Summary Information

Overview

There follows below a list of the all of the operations flown by 550 Squadron and the aircraft involved on each. The information used to build this page was taken in the first instance from the lists provided on the original Squadron Association web-site, but has been augmented by new information gathered since that time (squadron operations logs, individual aircrew log books, and other sources).

This information is not yet complete: it has been build from the a number of sources (documentary and people) and compilation of complete lists is an ongoing task that is expected to take quite some time to complete. So please don't shout just yet if you spot an omission - work continues to build a more complete, and accurate, list.
Do however shout if you spot an error! Please email any corrections or information to the contact details in the link at the bottom of the page.

Operation Summary: The column headers should be fairly self-explanatory. The term "aborted" as used here covers a number of possibilities:

Aircraft Deployed: When a link to a particular aircraft is given, this indicates aircraft known to have taken part in this raid (in the records currently available to the web-site author). A record of whether the aircraft returned or failed to return (FTR) is also logged.

Servicemen Deployed: Names of the crew in the operation.

Station Summary: This section is the information from the RAF North Killingholme Station Record Book for the operational date (if available).

Definitions of the abbreviations used are available: here.

Manageable Lists

The amount of data in the database is growing and this is resulting in the "all operations/targets" list getting rapidly bigger and thus slower to generate. There are options to display shorter, more quickly generated, reports if you want to home in on something specific. For example, there are options to generate reports on operations to a single target, or by single aircraft (to all targets) or by single aircraft to a single target. There is, on the database-reports summary page, a short user guide (PDF format) on how to do this.


Operation/Target: Berlin (26 Nov 1943 - 27 Nov 1943)

Operation Summary
Target Out Back Aborted
(Y / N)
Comments
Berlin 26 Nov 1943 27 Nov 1943 N Eight aircraft took off to attack targets in Berlin, of which 7 were successfull and dropped ca. 29 tons of HE and incendiaries. They returned and landed safely Base, Grimsby. No news received from LM379 after take-off and F/L Prangley and crew considered missing.

[Ed: The Prangley crew therefore were the first crew the squadron lost after it commenced operations.]
Aircraft Deployed Servicemen Deployed
Aircraft Service Number Returned
or FTR
Comments Crew Details
ED942 Returned Primary 2123hrs. 21,000 feet. Concentrated fires seen. Coned over target for 1-2 mins. Defences extremely effective. F/O D W Cobbin (P)
Sgt F T Stiling (F/Eng)
F/O K L Agnew (Nav)
P/O J L McKeown (A/B)
Sgt R Laverick (W/Op)
Sgt L K Gilmar (MU/AG)
Sgt R Willis (R/AG)

Operation/Target: Berlin (02 Dec 1943 - 03 Dec 1943)

Operation Summary
Target Out Back Aborted
(Y / N)
Comments
Berlin 02 Dec 1943 03 Dec 1943 N Twelve aircraft and crews were offered and accepted for operations. Crews were briefed to attack targets in BERLIN. Three aircraft abandoned their mission, one aircraft is missing with all of the crew, and eight aircraft successfully bombed the targets.
Aircraft Deployed Servicemen Deployed
Aircraft Service Number Returned
or FTR
Comments Crew Details
ED942 Returned Primary 21,000 feet at 20.22. Bombed concentration of green TIs seen on ground. F/O D W Cobbin (P)
Sgt F T Stiling (F/Eng)
F/O K L Agnew (Nav)
P/O J L McKeown (A/B)
Sgt R Laverick (W/Op)
Sgt L K Gilmar (MU/AG)
Sgt R Willis (R/AG)

Operation/Target: Leipzig (03 Dec 1943 - 04 Dec 1943)

Operation Summary
Target Out Back Aborted
(Y / N)
Comments
Leipzig 03 Dec 1943 04 Dec 1943 Y Nine aircraft with crews were offered for operations. Crews were briefed for targets in LEIPZIG. All aircraft returned safely to base - GRIMSBY.
Aircraft Deployed Servicemen Deployed
Aircraft Service Number Returned
or FTR
Comments Crew Details
ED942 Returned Primary 21,000 feet. At 04.06hrs. Bombed RP flares. After FRANKFURT lost track owing to difficult winds and returned via Brussels. F/O D W Cobbin (P)
Sgt F T Stiling (F/Eng)
F/O K L Agnew (Nav)
P/O J L McKeown (A/B)
Sgt R Laverick (W/Op)
Sgt L K Gilmar (MU/AG)
Sgt R Willis (R/AG)

Operation/Target: Berlin (16 Dec 1943 - 17 Dec 1943)

Operation Summary
Target Out Back Aborted
(Y / N)
Comments
Berlin 16 Dec 1943 17 Dec 1943 N Fifteen crews were offered for operations and with aircraft loaned from No.100 Squadron. They briefed to attack targets in BERLIN. Two of the sorties were abortive but the remaining aircraft bombed the targets and returned safely to BASE.
Aircraft Deployed Servicemen Deployed
Aircraft Service Number Returned
or FTR
Comments Crew Details
ED942 Returned Primary 21,000 ft at 20/08hrs. Black smoke seen below cloud and glow of fires to NE. F/L A B Craig (P)
Sgt L C Woodcock (F/Eng)
F/Sgt E M England (Nav)
W/O G C Notman (A/B)
F/O L W Denton (W/Op)
Sgt R S Pilson (MU/AG)
F/Sgt S H Brasher (R/AG)

Operation/Target: Frankfurt (20 Dec 1943 - 20 Dec 1943)

Operation Summary
Target Out Back Aborted
(Y / N)
Comments
Frankfurt 20 Dec 1943 20 Dec 1943 N Thirteen aircraft and crews were offered for operations and briefed to attack targets in FRANKFURT. Two aircraft returned early but the remainder successfully attached targets and returned safely to BASE. Air and ground training was carried out during the day and night.
Aircraft Deployed Servicemen Deployed
Aircraft Service Number Returned
or FTR
Comments Crew Details
ED942 Returned Primary 20,000 ft at 19.45hrs. PFF very poor. Two large explosions seen. Only scattered incendiary fires. F/L W H Waycott (A/G)
F/L A B Craig (P)
P/O E M England (Nav)
Sgt L C Woodcock (F/Eng)
F/Sgt E M England (Nav)
W/O G C Notman (A/B)
F/O L W Denton (W/Op)
Sgt R S Pilson (MU/AG)

Operation/Target: Berlin (23 Dec 1943 - 24 Dec 1943)

Operation Summary
Target Out Back Aborted
(Y / N)
Comments
Berlin 23 Dec 1943 24 Dec 1943 N With aircraft loaned from 100 Sqdn, seventeen aircraft and crews were briefed for operations and to attack targets in BERLIN. Two aircraft cancelled at the last moment owing to unserviceability. Shortly after take-off two aircraft collided in mid-air, crashed and were burnt out, the crews of both being killed. One aircraft did not return - no news after take off. Two aircraft returned early, the remainder successfully attacked the targets and in spite of very bad weather conditions over BASE - GRIMSBY landed safely.
Aircraft Deployed Servicemen Deployed
Aircraft Service Number Returned
or FTR
Comments Crew Details
ED942 Returned Primary 20,000 ft at 04.08hrs. Very well concentrated attack and there seemed to be a lot of incendiary fires. P/O N S Rogers (P)
Sgt H J Pearce (F/Eng)
F/O H T A Evans (Nav)
Sgt N C Jenkins (A/B)
F/Sgt D Salmon (W/Op)
F/Sgt M E Mills (MU/AG)
Sgt J H Marshall (R/AG)

Operation/Target: Berlin (29 Dec 1943 - 30 Dec 1943)

Operation Summary
Target Out Back Aborted
(Y / N)
Comments
Berlin 29 Dec 1943 30 Dec 1943 N Fourteen aircraft with crews were offered and briefed to attack targets in BERLIN. Five aircraft returned early but the remained successfully attached their targets and returned safely to BASE. Orders were received that the Sqdn should remove to RAF Station, NORTH KILLINGHOLME, LINCOLNSHIRE by 3rd January 1944.
Aircraft Deployed Servicemen Deployed
Aircraft Service Number Returned
or FTR
Comments Crew Details
ED942 Returned Primary 21,500 ft at 20.12hrs. PFF marking RP flares and red and green stars will concentrated. Reflections of fires seen 80 miles from target. F/O D W Cobbin (P)
Sgt F T Stiling (F/Eng)
F/O K L Agnew (Nav)
P/O J L McKeown (A/B)
Sgt R Laverick (W/Op)
Sgt L K Gilmar (MU/AG)
Sgt R Willis (R/AG)

Operation/Target: Berlin (02 Jan 1944 - 03 Jan 1944)

Operation Summary
Target Out Back Aborted
(Y / N)
Comments
Berlin 02 Jan 1944 03 Jan 1944 N Eleven aircraft were offered for operations, three subsequently being withdrawn owing to unserviceability. The remainder briefed to attack targets in BERLIN. Three aircraft returned early, but the remainder successfully bombed the targets and on returing to this country, owing to bad weather conditions were landed at various bases.
Station Summary
550 Squadron again operated from WALTHAM.
9550 Servicing Echelon, C.O. F/L G COOPER having, been formed on 25/11/43, arrived today, complete with Electrical Section.
F/O H G GARDINER, Station Armament Officer, has been on duty for the last few days arranging for equipment to be transferred from WALTHAM. Bomb trolleys arrived today.
S/Ldr E R BARKER Station Intelligence Officer arrived today from Wickenby.
Aircraft Deployed Servicemen Deployed
Aircraft Service Number Returned
or FTR
Comments Crew Details
ED942 Returned Primary 20,000 ft at 02.50hrs. Diverted to CROFT. Not considered very successful attack. Markers very scattered. F/O D W Cobbin (P)
Sgt F T Stiling (F/Eng)
F/O K L Agnew (Nav)
P/O J L McKeown (A/B)
Sgt R Laverick (W/Op)
Sgt L K Gilmar (MU/AG)
Sgt R Willis (R/AG)

Operation/Target: Berlin (20 Jan 1944 - 21 Jan 1944)

Operation Summary
Target Out Back Aborted
(Y / N)
Comments
Berlin 20 Jan 1944 21 Jan 1944 N Eleven aircraft with crews were offered for operations and briefed to attack targets in BERLIN. One aircraft did not take off owing to unserviceability and one aircraft returned early with engine trouble. Nine aircraft successfully bombed their targets and returned safely to BASE.
Station Summary
11 aircraft of 550 Squadron detailed for major attack on Berlin. 1 was cancelled because of u/s rear turret. Of the remaining ten sorties, 9 claim to have attacked Berlin, while 1 was abortive. In spite of even shorter notice of this operation than the last, preparations were adequate for the eary take-off called for, and bombing-up was completed.
The A.O.C. 1 Group, air Vice Marshal Rice, accompanied by the acting Base Commander, 13 Base Group Captain Dickens, arrived after briefing and remained to watch take-off. The S.I.O. of 1 Group, S/Ldr Foster, accompanied by the S.I.O 13 Base, S/Ldr Dale, also by F/Lt Gould (Intelligence 1 Group Headquarters) also visited us. F/Lt Gibson, S.I.O. ELSHAM WOLDS, paid a short visit to the Station during interrogation.
Aircraft Deployed Servicemen Deployed
Aircraft Service Number Returned
or FTR
Comments Crew Details
ED942 Returned Returned early. Starboard outer engine unserviceable. F/Lt G A Davison (P)
Sgt L B Martin (F/Eng)
W/O A Selman (Nav)
F/O R C Rice (A/B)
Sgt B G Davies (W/Op)
Sgt C Gregory (MU/AG)
Sgt W J Brown (R/AG)

Operation/Target: Magdeburg (21 Jan 1944 - 22 Jan 1944)

Operation Summary
Target Out Back Aborted
(Y / N)
Comments
Magdeburg 21 Jan 1944 22 Jan 1944 N Ten aircraft with crews were offered for operations and briefed to attack targets in MADGEBURG. One aircraft did not take off owing to unserviceability, two aircraft returned early. Six aircraft successfully attacked the targets and returned safely to BASE. One aircraft did not return to BASE - no news since take off.
Station Summary
OPERATIONS
10 aircraft of 550 Squadron were detailed to attack MAGDEBURG. 1 was cancelled because of u/s rear turret, 2 of the remaining 9 were abortive, and 1 aircraft was missing.
TRAINING
A Command Bullseye was laid on for which 550 Squadron offered 1 aircraft. This took off but abandoned the course due to GEE trouble.
ORGANIZATION
F/Lt SHILLITER, 1 Group Gas and Fire Officer, visited the Station and inspected the incomplete Gas and Fire Station to which P/O BEESTON, who arrived yesterday as Gs and Fire Officer, is now giving his attention.
Aircraft Deployed Servicemen Deployed
Aircraft Service Number Returned
or FTR
Comments Crew Details
ED942 Returned Primary 22,000 ft at 23.09hrs F/Lt G A Davison (P)
Sgt L B Martin (F/Eng)
W/O A Selman (Nav)
F/O R C Rice (A/B)
Sgt B G Davies (W/Op)
Sgt C Gregory (MU/AG)
Sgt W J Brown (R/AG)

Operation/Target: Berlin (27 Jan 1944 - 28 Jan 1944)

Operation Summary
Target Out Back Aborted
(Y / N)
Comments
Berlin 27 Jan 1944 28 Jan 1944 N Fourteen aircraft with crews were offered and briefed to attack targets in BERLIN. Four aircraft returned early, but the remaining ten successfully bombed the target and returned safely to BASE.
Station Summary
OPERATIONS
Berlin operation again laid on. 14 aircraft of 550 Squadron were detailed. 10 claimed to atack Berlin. Remaining 4 were abortive sorties.
Aircraft Deployed Servicemen Deployed
Aircraft Service Number Returned
or FTR
Comments Crew Details
ED942 Returned Primary 21,000 ft at 20.38 hrs

Operation/Target: Berlin (28 Jan 1944 - 29 Jan 1944)

Operation Summary
Target Out Back Aborted
(Y / N)
Comments
Berlin 28 Jan 1944 29 Jan 1944 N Thirteen aircraft with crews were offered and briefed to attack targets in BERLIN. Two aircraft returned early, but the remaining eleven dropped their bombs on the target returned safely to BASE.
Station Summary
OPERATIONS
Again Berlin. of 13 aircraft of 550 Squadron detailed, 2 were abortive and 11 claim to have attacked the target.
ORGANIZATION
A Station Post Office was opened on a Class A basis.
Aircraft Deployed Servicemen Deployed
Aircraft Service Number Returned
or FTR
Comments Crew Details
ED942 Returned Port inner engine caught fire. Feathered and fire went out. Sgt G Hunter (P)
Sgt J C Cartwright (F/Eng)
F/O G Pickavance (Nav)
Sgt L I Smith (A/B)
Sgt W C Frost (W/Op)
Sgt T W Vittle (MU/AG)
Sgt C V Gale (R/AG)

Operation/Target: Berlin (30 Jan 1944 - 31 Jan 1944)

Operation Summary
Target Out Back Aborted
(Y / N)
Comments
Berlin 30 Jan 1944 31 Jan 1944 N Thirteen aircraft with crews were offered for operations and briefed to attack targets in BERLIN. One aircraft did not take off due to unserviceability, one aircraft returned early, and one aircraft did not return - no news since take off. Ten aircraft successfully bombed the target. F/O G.A. Morrison in DV305 was attacked by enemy fighter over BERLIN and the two gunners killed instantaneously. The B/A (F/O Warren) through a misunderstood order, baled out. In spite of severe damage to the aircraft and with no navigational aids, apart from the Moon and Stars, returned safely, landed WOODBRIDGE.
Station Summary
OPERATIONS
12 of the 13 aircraft of 550 Squadron detailed to take part in yet another large assault on BERLIN took off, 1 being cancelled due to hydraulic leak. 10 claim to have atacked the target, 1 sortie was abortive and 1 aircraft is missing. A feature of the raid was the outstanding performance of the crew of O/550. Their story is told in the Station's narrative report No. 1 dated 1/2/44, a copy of which is attached hereto as Appendix 1. As a result of this mission, the captain of O/550, F/O G.A. MORRISON, was awarded an immediate D.S.O. He thus becomes the only present holder of this award on the Station, as well as the first recipient of a decoration of any kind for work done from this Station.
GENERAL
From the Stirling aircraft which crashed yesterday and is now above water 5 bodies have been recovered. Our Medical Officer F/Lt Cunningham and our R & I Engineer F/O Stevens, intervening. Three were identified as Sergeants SPENCE, WALKER and HELSBY.
Aircraft Deployed Servicemen Deployed
Aircraft Service Number Returned
or FTR
Comments Crew Details
ED942 Returned Returned port inner engine unserviceable. Load brought back.

[Ed: Recorded in pencil on log entry: "? No navigator. No wonder."]

[Ed. Only 6 air-crew are listed in the ORB as flying this op. F/Sgt McIntosh is listed as A/B, whereas on other ops he is the listed Nav, and it is F/Sgt Stockton, the regular A/B with this crew, who is in fact absent. Possible to assume admin error?]
F/Sgt R E Woodger (P)
Sgt D L Jones (F/Eng)
F/Sgt J D McIntosh (Nav)
Sgt R W J Wivell (W/Op)
Sgt V H Mate (MU/AG)
Sgt D Willsdon (R/AG)

Operation/Target: Stuttgart (20 Feb 1944 - 21 Feb 1944)

Operation Summary
Target Out Back Aborted
(Y / N)
Comments
Stuttgart 20 Feb 1944 21 Feb 1944 N Fourteen aircraft with crews were offered for operations and briefed to attack targets in STUTTGART. Two aircraft did not take-off owing to techincal troubles. Twelve aircraft successfully bombed the targets and returned safely, landing at BASE - NORTH KILLINGHOLME.
Station Summary
OPERATIONS
13 aircraft of 550 Squadron detailed for STUTTGART raid. 12 tool off and complete mission without loss.
ORGANISATION
9550 Servicing Echelon personnel moved to the new office accommodation in No. 1 Flight building. Owing to the shortage of personnel at 13 Base HQ for Base Mainenance Unit, one mechanic has been attached from Station Signals Section at this station for temportary duty, leaving the Section with 4 mechanics below establishment.
Modification incorporated in Lancaster ME582 whereby camera is operated by opening and closing of the bomb doors.
The last few days have seen the equipment of the Station Navigation Officer's premises and his map store. To bring his supply of maps and charts up to requirements a further order has been dispatched.
F/Lt. GARDINER has been replaced as Station Armament Officer by P/O Alderson during his temporary absence on leave. The Base Armament Officer today visited the station for a general inspection of roads and bomb stores.
Aircraft Deployed Servicemen Deployed
Aircraft Service Number Returned
or FTR
Comments Crew Details
ED942 Returned Primary 21,000 ft at 04.08hrs, bombed G/R flares. Landed FORD, due to petrol shortage. P/O D McCrae (P)
Sgt R A Drury (F/Eng)
F/O M Shapiro (Nav)
F/Sgt F G Lebano (A/B)
Sgt A G Hall (W/Op)
Sgt C A Bonner (MU/AG)
Sgt A H Brown (R/AG)

Operation/Target: Augsburg (25 Feb 1944 - 26 Feb 1944)

Operation Summary
Target Out Back Aborted
(Y / N)
Comments
Augsburg 25 Feb 1944 26 Feb 1944 N Twelve aircraft with crews were offered for operations and briefed to attack targets in AUGSBURG. One aircraft did not take-off owing to technical trouble. Two aircraft did not return from the operations, no news since take-off, but the remaining nine aircraft succcesfully bombed the targets and returned safely, landing at BASE - NORTH KILLINGHOLME.
Station Summary
OPERATIONS
12 aircraft of 550 Squadron were detailed for a raid on AUGSBURG. 11 took off and 2 sorties were missing. Some strain was inevitably thrown on all sections concerned in preparation for this operation, as take-off was early and followed a late return from the previous night's raid. The Base Commander attended briefing.
ORGANIZATION
During the past 5 days 4 armoured fighting vehicles for station defence work have been collected by our M.T. Section. Plans for station defence have now reached the stage where a station manning exercise is possible. This has been ordered for 28 Feb. Difficulty in ground-testing of auto-controls has been reduced by loan of portable air compressor trolley from RAF KIRMINGTON.
Aircraft Deployed Servicemen Deployed
Aircraft Service Number Returned
or FTR
Comments Crew Details
ED942 FTR Missing, no news after take off. F/O G B Hoddle (P)
Sgt D P Dingle (F/Eng)
F/O J W Bryan (Nav)
Sgt K M Fairbairn (A/B)
Sgt S G Hubbard (W/Op)
F/Sgt J K Boothroyd (MU/AG)
Sgt T F Quine (R/AG)

Summary Statistics

Based on the data in the lists displayed above, and keeping in mind that data is still being updated and thus not yet complete, the following statistics are generated:

Aircraft Deployment Statistics


Aircraft deployments 15
MAX Aircraft deployed
in single operation
1
(Berlin, 26 Nov 1943)

These details were last updated: 22 April 2024


Note

this list is still being built and will take some time to complete
what is currently displayed is believed accurate but much more is still to be added

This note describes the options currently available to produce a smaller, more manageable list and also describes planned future enhancements to the reporting facility.


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